{"id":90850,"date":"2017-11-20T04:22:24","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T09:22:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthyhemp.wpengine.com\/?page_id=71378"},"modified":"2020-01-29T15:34:52","modified_gmt":"2020-01-29T20:34:52","slug":"cbd-vs-thc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthyhempoil.com\/cbd-vs-thc\/","title":{"rendered":"CBD vs THC: What is the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

CBD vs THC: What is the Difference?<\/h1>\n
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\"cbd-vs-thc\"<\/p>\n

[This article is part of our ongoing tutorial about\u00a0Cannabidiol<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

\"cbdCannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two most\u00a0abundant cannabinoids found naturally in hemp.<\/p>\n

Classed as\u00a0phytocannabinoids\u00a0<\/a>(as opposed to endocannabinoids and cannabinoids that are manufactured artificially), both CBD and THC interact with specific cells mainly in our brains (but also in other organs), causing a number of\u00a0different effects in our bodies.<\/a><\/p>\n

Both CBD and THC have a wide range of applications and are similar at the molecular level. This has led the public to often confuse them, and even the scientific community believed that CBD and THC were in fact the same substance until relatively recently.<\/p>\n

However, the chemical properties of CBD and THC vary widely enough to classify THC as a psychotropic drug strictly controlled by federal authorities, while CBD is regarded as legal and safe worldwide.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding these substances, propagated in part by interests that seek to promote one substance over the other. In this article, we will give you the lowdown on some scientific facts about both CBD and THC, explaining objectively and in simple terms the differences between CBD and THC.<\/p>\n

The Difference between CBD and THC Molecular Structure<\/span><\/h2>\n

CBD and THC actually have the exact same chemical structure comprising 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. The only difference is a single atom. THC contains a cyclic ring where CBD contains a hydroxyl group, referring to an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. This single, seemingly insignificant molecular difference completely changes how the two affect your body. Due to this molecular difference, THC stimulates the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, resulting in its characteristic psychotropic effects. CBD instead alters the shape of the CB1 receptor, which is why it generally does not produce any psychoactive effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Legality of THC vs CBD<\/span><\/h2>\n

As THC induces psychoactive effects, it is classified as an illegal substance in most countries throughout the world. CBD walks a gray area. Legislation surrounding CBD is complicated with the United States federal laws suggesting that CBD derived from hemp is legal. Furthermore, numerous state laws, which cannot be overruled by federal law, have allowed for the use of CBD products. Many states have also made medicinal and\/or recreational marijuana legal, essentially allowing for both THC and CBD. <\/span>Countrywide legality still remains a complex issue, but as more states become open to legalizing both THC and CBD in all forms, the federal government will have to take it into consideration. The 2018 Farm Bill, which has been approved by the Senate as of this writing, would come with huge changes, most prominently the legalization of industrial hemp and CBD derived from hemp.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both THC and CBD are stored in body fat, so they can potentially <\/span>show up on drug tests<\/span><\/a> weeks after you\u2019ve used them. While there are CBD-sensitive tests available, most drug tests will look for chemicals associated with THC.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Benefits Does CBD Have Over THC?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Overall, THC and CBD may offer many of the same potential health benefits, including:<\/span><\/p>\n